Former Student on Page 1, For All the Wrong Reasons

Published: December 4, 2005

To the Sports Editor:

I read the article, ''Poor Grades Aside, Top Athletes Get to College on $399 Diploma,'' (Nov. 27) with avid interest. I was Demetrice Morley's English teacher during his abbreviated senior year at Killian Senior High. I was truly sorry that his first front page article in The New York Times was about his questionable grade point average. I had always hoped it would be because he was an all-American.

Like many athletes in South Florida, as soon as Demetrice's talent was revealed, the help in the form of shortcuts and special treatment became a way of life for him. He knew he didn't have to knock himself out academically to graduate or attend college. There were rarely consequences for actions that brought severe disciplinary action to less-gifted students.

He did the absolute minimum to stay eligible to play football. Why strive for academic achievement when athletic achievement is what is most valued?

My heart breaks for the students who are led into the trap of finding themselves ineligible to play because they are unable to meet the academic minimum requirements in college. This is only exacerbated by the special treatment they receive. The pattern seems to continue into the N.F.L.

If a young athlete is talented, but not academically inclined, perhaps college is not the best option. Why not have young athletes go directly to the pros? Why does the N.F.L. forbid young athletes to turn pro before their junior class in college graduates? The N.B.A., the N.H.L. and professional baseball do not do this.

Offering gifted young people special treatment and lowering expectations is not something to be proud of. We really need to re-evaluate our priorities.

Roberta Sussman
Miami

The writer is an English teacher at Killian Senior High School.

Photo: Tennessee defensive back Demetrice Morley was one of at least 28 athletes to use University High as a shortcut. (Photo by Chris Livingston for The New York Times)